April 10, 2004

Photo Gallery

Illinois' women's track team opened its outdoor season Saturday at the Spira Invitational in El Paso, Texas. In a meet that was delayed by rain storms for almost two hours, the Illini qualified five individuals for the NCAA regionals and set a number of personal bests.

"I'm pretty pleased, for the opening meet, it went well." head coach Gary Winckler said. "We had hoped for better weather, everyone competed well; it was a good start being our first outdoor meet."

Shanna Pickett headed the list of regional qualifiers, advancing in the long jump, setting a personal best, jumping 19'09.00". She also ran 24.34s in the 200m and ran a leg on the 4x100m team that finished second.

"Shanna Pickett had a big PR in the long jump, it was a good mark for her," Winckler said.

Joining Pickett at regionals will be Nina Henson, who jumped 41'00.75" in the triple jump, Yvonne Mensah who ran 13.83s in the 100m hurdles to finish third and Marie Hilmersson won advanced in the hammer throw. Henson also set a personal best in the long jump with an effort of 19'01.50", while Mensah ran 24.03 in the 200m.

In her Illinois debut, freshman Carlene Robinson qualified for regionals in the 400m hurdles, clocking a time of 1:00.21.

In addition, freshman Kristina Jones set a personal best in the triple jump at 39'11.75" and junior Kimetha Williams ran 56.89s in the 400m.

Other members of the 4x100m relay team were Mensah, Robinson and her sister Camille Robinson.

Complete results can be found at www.utepathletics.com.